SE CHRONICLE 684

ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE 37

T IME TO READ

TIME TO READ

TIME TO READ

TIME TO READ

TIME TO READ

TIME TO READ

TIME TO READ

TIME TO READ

TIME TO READ

Dougal Morrison, Groundsman My Life and Rugby by Eddie Jones This is an autobiography with plenty of photographs about the world-class super coach, Eddie Jones (see page 65). The book charts his successes: in 2003, he coached Australia to win the World Cup Rugby Final; in 2007 he was instrumental in South Africa’s World Cup victory; in 2015 he masterminded the greatest upset ever in world rugby, Japan’s victory over South Africa in the World Cup – I was there and saw some South Africans ripping their rugby jerseys off and throwing them into the sea. Yet it is not all about his successes but more about his life, his ups and downs, especially in his playing career. This book is a good easy read even if you are not a rugby fan, it is mostly about the man.

Ashleigh Eaton, Domestic Bursar Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild I chose this book as it is one to which I have returned again and again since I first read it aged nine. I feel I know Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil like old school friends, their surname stemming from the fact that they are orphans collected by eccentric archaeologist and explorer GUM – Great Uncle Matthew – on his travels. Found as babies, they are deposited by GUM into the safe care of kind Sylvia and no-nonsense Nana in a large, dilapidated house on the Cromwell Road in South Kensington – and GUM promptly disappears without leaving any money for their upkeep. They subsequently find themselves at Madame Fidolia’s Children’s Academy for Dance and Stage, where they achieve varying levels of success and have many adventures. It is an old-fashioned book (with lovely words like organza and palliasse), which, for me, is very much its charm, but it is still relevant today as it is the story of three very different girls who all ultimately succeed in their goals and find their place in the world.

Boo Forster-Haig OSE, Guest of Honour at Gaudy 2022 Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier We can all remember the surge of fear when our English teacher threw us an impenetrable-looking paperback, with a cover that offered nothing more than an image of foreboding. That book for me was Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. Little did I know I would go on to adore every one of its brooding characters and macabre twists. I will admit on reading it for the first time I missed most of the real subtext of the book. It was true to its title in being about Rebecca – but it is also a story about the love of newly-weds, the impact of character flaws and how we define identity. The novel has grown with me, exposing a new detail every time I re-read it. Now as a military wife and aware that du Maurier’s husband was also a soldier, I have gained a deeper understanding of her portrayal of alienation and duty, things any military spouse will tell you are often present owing to the transient lives of service personnel.

Evie Cullum, Fourth Form The Poppy War by R F Kuang

This is one of my favourite recent books and explores problems to do with race, gender and status. Set in a fantasy world of magic and war, it follows the story of a young girl who trains to fight for her country and save her friends whilst experiencing horrors unimaginable to most of her allies. This book looks at very serious topics and is not for the faint of heart but is riveting and thrilling throughout.

Bella Haigh and Tigi Davies at the fancy dress Art and Art History Leavers’ Tea Party in May